19 May 2025
A delegation from the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), led by Professor Lixian Qian, Associate Dean for Research, visited McDonald's China Headquarters to explore deeper industry-academia collaboration and promote the integration of research, education, and industry practices. The delegation included Dr Jia Zhai, Director of the IBSS Research Centre of Excellence for Emerging Technologies and Innovation (RCE2), and Dr Chenwei Li. This visit marks a new phase of cooperation between the two parties in talent development and research innovation.
During the visit, McDonald's China management team provided a comprehensive overview of the company's development strategies and innovative practices, with a special focus on its unique "Hamburger University" talent training system. The delegation gained first-hand insights into how McDonald's China integrates technological innovation into its corporate values and operational models through a guided tour of the headquarters' facilities.
In the academic exchange session, Professor Qian introduced IBSS's disciplinary strengths and talent cultivation approaches, particularly highlighting the school's cutting-edge research in digital transformation. Dr Zhai shared RCE2's groundbreaking achievements in applied research on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digitalization. Dr Li presented her latest research findings in information management and marketing.
The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on the themes of "Digital Transformation" and "Innovative Talent Development." A McDonald's China digital business representative noted, "The research capabilities of XJTLU International Business School align closely with our business development goals, especially in consumer behavior analysis and digital operations, where there is significant potential for collaboration."
Regarding talent development initiatives, McDonald's China shared its experience in establishing university partnerships for internship programs and campus recruitment systems. Additionally, McDonald was invited to conduct a dedicated recruitment event at XJTLU this autumn to provide career opportunities for outstanding students.
This exchange not only strengthened mutual understanding but also laid a solid foundation for collaborative innovation between industry and academia. Professor Qian remarked, "Deep collaboration with industry leaders like McDonald's is crucial for enhancing our teaching, research, and students' employability." Moving forward, both parties will advance substantive cooperation in research projects and talent development, jointly exploring new models for university-industry partnerships.
19 May 2025